Mobilities

A key focus of the GIANT project phase until March 31, 2026, are individual mobilities between Kerala and Würzburg.

Students from Germany will visit IISER TVM for research stays of up to three months, engaging in experimental and computational work in the field of functional nanosystems. They will participate in joint research projects and gain expertise in nanomaterial synthesis, ultrafast spectroscopy, and computational modeling.

Students from IISER TVM will visit JMU to conduct research and training stays as part of their final research projects and coursework. At JMU, they will engage in experimental and computational work in functional nanosystems, participating in joint research projects and gaining expertise in nanomaterial synthesis, supramolecular chemistry, bioorganic chemistry, ultrafast spectroscopy, optical microscopy and spectroscopy, and computational modeling.

These stays aim to enhance interdisciplinary knowledge and strengthen international research collaboration.Academic mentoring by faculty from both institutions ensures a productive and immersive academic exchange.

More information on the conditions and responsibilities related to GIANT mobilities can be found here:

The GIANT program offers funding for a research stay at either the Julius-Maximilians-Universität Würzburg (JMU) or the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Thiruvananthapuram (IISER-TVM) during the period from August 1, 2025 to March 31, 2026.

The funding includes the following lump sums for travel and living expenses:

For JMU students:

• Travel allowance: EUR 1,425
• Living allowance: INR 12,000 per month

For IISER-TVM students:

• Travel allowance: INR 100,000
• Living allowance: EUR 992 per month

The standard duration of the stay is three months, but individual arrangements are possible upon request. All stays take place in cooperation with the professorships listed below at JMU and IISER-TVM.

Master’s students from the Faculty of Chemistry and Pharmacy and the Faculty of Physics and Astronomy at the University of Würzburg may be eligible to receive academic credit for their mobility stay, for example as:

• Specialized internship (10 ECTS)
• Voluntary short-term international internship (4 weeks, 5 ECTS) or long-term internship (8 weeks, 10 ECTS)
• Internship as part of the Master’s thesis

Master’s students from IISER-TVM may discuss matters of credit transfer options with their academic supervisor.

The eligibility for credit transfer depends on the content and scope of the planned activity and will be discussed during the advisory meeting with your academic mentor.

For Successful Applicants from IISER-TVM

Upon acceptance into the GIANT mobility program, you will receive:

• confirmation of your GIANT scholarship
• an invitation letter from JMU
• a pre-filled application form for an internship for training purposes, along with an Anabin confirmation
• an internship plan (based on the German Federal Employment Agency template, created after your advisory meeting)
• a statement regarding your enrollment certificate (template provided by the German Federal Employment Agency, issued by [X])
• a confirmation from IISER-TVM stating that the internship is a mandatory part of your Master’s program

With the above documents, as well as:

• a copy of your ID/passport
• your IISER-TVM enrollment certificate

you need to  apply for a letter from the German Federal Employment Agency (Zentrale für Auslands- und Fachvermittlung).

Visa Application

Please apply for your visa as soon as possible and inform us of your application number and contact person at the embassy, so we can support your application if needed.

Insurance Coverage for Your Stay

You are required to have adequate health, accident, and personal liability insurance. Among others, our funding agency, DAAD, offers an affordable insurance package.

You can apply for this additional insurance via the DAAD portal. In any case, please send us proof of your health insurance coverage

Disbursement of Scholarship Funds

To receive your scholarship payments, you will need a German tax identification number.

Student Housing Reservation

Finally, please confirm your room reservation  in the student residence on the JMU campus. More information about JMU's student facilities can be found here.

For Successful Applicants from JMU

Successful applicants from JMU will receive further information along with the notification of their funding. For any questions regarding accommodation or local conditions in Kerala, they are welcome to contact the coordinator at IISER-TVM, Dr. Roy.

For Successful Applicants from IISER-TVM

You will receive your student ID card as part of your welcome package. This card serves as your ticket for public transportation in Würzburg and entitles you to discounted rates at the five campus cafeterias (Mensen).
More information is available from the Student Services (Studierendenwerk) Würzburg.

Successful Applicants of the University of Würzburg

Successful applicants from JMU will receive further information along with the notification of their funding. For any questions regarding accommodation or local conditions in Kerala, you are welcome to contact the coordinator at IISER-TVM, Dr. Roy, at any time — even prior to submitting your application.

The GIANT project between IISER-TVM and the University of Würzburg is a pilot initiative aimed at better understanding how to implement mobility programs smoothly from an administrative perspective, while also making your experience as a research intern as enriching as possible. To support our project-related reporting, we kindly ask for your cooperation. In addition to any scientific reporting duties you may have toward your research group, we expect all scholarship recipients to submit a personal experience report about their stay abroad. This report should include at least three photos or short video clips from your lab work, free time, and a teaching activity, each accompanied by a brief description. (Please make sure to obtain and include in your submission written consent from any individuals appearing in the images/videos.) The report about your exchange experience must be submitted to the project management team via email no later than four weeks after your departure.